Friday, March 17, 2006

Movie Review: "V For Vendetta" (2006)

It was probably the anticipation of a really really great film that killed it for me with V For Vendetta. So much hype and controversy surrounding the filmmaking process just gave it to much attention. From Natalie Portman 's shaved dome to the delay of the release date from the initial November 5 2005 to March 2006 because of 'politics' between the filmmakers and the studio. The attention this movie got was more that it was due. Too bad the movie couldn't deliver (for me at least).

The future is bleak for England. After being seized by a fascist ruler, Adam Sutler (John Hurt), England is now subject to Martial law where the voice of the people is suppressed and the government has a final say in everything.Evie Hammond (Natalie Portman) lived an ordinary life before V (Hugo Weaving) came into her life. Having witnessed the destruction of a British monument which V had conducted, she is being chased by the authorities and is caught up in a cat and mouse chase between the government and V.More truths surface about Evies life as with V's and his history with the government. The governments' stronghold begins to weaken as the people are 'inspired' be V's defiance as the 5th of November closes in. A day V has set to make things right for England.

I love movies about rebellion and defiance. I absolutely loved The original Matrix and saw that V For Vendetta had the potential to be in the same league. I wasnt expecting any revolutionary fight sequences nor any spectacular special effects sequences. I was expecting an engaging a convining compelling story of defiance against an obviously flawed government system. My expectations were not met.I expected myself to be inspired to rebel. I wasn't.

The character V, cartoonish as his character was intended to be, didnt have the credibility to inspire and incite the public to just go out in the streets and take their country back. Also, the portrayal of the government was very one-dimensional and lacked depth. I guess it was intended to be that way. Anyways, it DID come from a comic book. Simply put. I really dont think the movie succeeded in its purpose.